The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Wisconsin based non-profit committed to elevating Black women’s health and reducing racial health disparities, has announced today its hire of local health and racial equity leader Alia Stevenson who will serve as the organization’s Chief Programs Officer. Stevenson will begin her new leadership role on Monday, April 6th. She will become the Foundation’s third full time employee.
Stevenson joins the Foundation at a critical time in its growth and on the heels of an exciting year of accomplishments including the opening of Dane County’s first Black Women’s Wellness Center earlier this year on Madison’s west side. She also arrives as the organization and wider community navigate the unanticipated challenges and instability brought on by the global Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
A former Foundation Board member and volunteer, Ms. Stevenson most recently worked for local government as the City of Madison’s Organizational Development Manager, and as Policy, Planning & Evaluation Manager and Health Equity Coordinator for Public Health Madison & Dane County. In these roles, she launched successful programming including the City of Madison’s Women’s Leadership Series and the Public Health Madison & Dane County’s health and racial equity team.
“I’m fortunate to step into a role that is the perfect intersection of my personal and professional passions and journey, and at such an important time”, says Stevenson. “The work of the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is more vital than ever as we address and offer solutions to disrupt existing inequities, while confronting the added short and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis across Wisconsin and our nation. I am humbled to be a part of this critical work.”
Lisa Peyton-Caire, CEO and President of the Foundation, says the Foundation is excited to welcome Stevenson as the organization positions itself for greater impact and adjusts quickly to external challenges that will impact Black women and communities of color disproportionately.
“We are fortunate to have Alia join us and at such a crucial time where advocacy, answers, and action are needed to secure the lives and well-being of Black women and families”, says Peyton-Caire. “Alia’s wealth of knowledge, experience, and local and national relationships around health and racial equity are what we need right now to expand our ability to support Black women’s capacity to survive and thrive.”
Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer, Janine Stephens
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Wisconsin based non-profit committed to elevating Black women’s health and reducing racial health disparities, has announced today its hire of local non-profit executive Janine Stephens who will serve as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. Stephens will begin her new leadership role on Monday, February 17th. She will become the Foundation’s second full time employee.
Stephens joins the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness at a time of expansion and on the heels of the opening of its new Black Women’s Wellness Center on Madison’s west side. The Center was made possible by the support of local donors, and a successful fundraising campaign last spring that won the organization’s recognition as a national GoFundMe Hero by the San Francisco based crowdfunding platform. The Center’s official grand opening will be held this Saturday, February 1st from 12-3pm.
Foundation CEO and President Lisa Peyton-Caire who launched the organization in 2012 and has led it since that time with the support of a working board and a legion of committed volunteers, lauds the addition of Stephens as a major win for the non-profit as it positions itself for growth and greater impact.
“We are beyond excited and elated to welcome Janine to our team and at such a critical time in our organization’s development,” said Peyton-Caire. “She brings talents and experience that will be central to strengthening our capacity to broaden our reach and fulfill our commitment to transform Black women’s health.”
Before joining the Foundation, Ms. Stephens served as Chief Development Officer with the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, and was instrumental in helping lead the opening of the organization’s new Sun Prairie location. Her service to the Club spanned a total of nine years over two tenures in which time she served in a number of leadership roles in marketing, development, event management, and operations. Between her time at the Boys and Girls Club, Stephens served as Chief Operating Officer for Building Brave, a non-profit women’s empowerment platform launched in 2016 by local businesswoman and philanthropist Mary Burke.
“I am thrilled to join the FFBWW team!,” exclaims Stephens. “The Foundation has played a pivotal role in the lives of so many Black women in this community including myself. I look forward to continuing the work with our partners and ambassadors to advance our mission and impact the lives of many more striving to be Well Black Women.”
